Going medieval at the Renaissance Festival

Travel back in time to medieval England at the 16th annual Siouxland Renaissance Festival this weekend. Reporter Alexa Giebink dressed up in historical attire to speak with organizers about the entertainment being offered this year.

Sometimes you just need to have a medieval mindset.

And what better place to explore my alter ego than at the 16th annual Siouxland Renaissance Festival, which runs Saturday and Sunday at the W. H. Lyon Fairgrounds?

Jenni Nelson, staged as Captain Nadia Leastein", and Collin Schilling, stage name "Collin Stuart" play a Renaissance game called, Kubb or also known as "Viking Chess".

Shanya Burt/Argus Leader

The artfully crafted sets and costumed volunteers transport you back in time to the quaint medieval village of Shrewsbury, England, during the year 1575. You might even catch a glimpse of the regal Queen Elizabeth I.

"We will have plenty of cool spaces," assured event chairman Anna Vorhes, mindful of the heat. Although temperatures will be high, the festival plans to provide ample amounts of shade and cold beverages.

For a sneak peek of the festivities, the kind citizens of Shrewsbury welcomed me into their village on Thursday. To fit in, I was provided with a historically-themed outfit.

My garb was composed of a chemise (under layer), Spanish surcoat (decorative outer coat) and a french hood (head scarf and bejeweled crown).

Dressed in my finery, I was transformed into my Renaissance alter ego Lady Aldora Ainsley. Festival organizers, volunteers and attendees often create a persona inspired by the time period.

The Renaissance Festival is a chance to escape current life and become whomever you wish. Characters range from respectable ladies and lords to unsavory pirates. Are you a noble person or a scalawag? I chose to be a dignified lady of high birth.

The festival will overflow with medieval revelry of all kinds. Visitors can play in the children's area, be amused by a fire-breather at one of the five stages, munch on a turkey leg or guzzle down a jug of mead in the pub tent.

Live armored jousting will be held inside the expo building each day at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

New to the fair this year is a wooden trebuchet, a catapult-like device donated by a local boy scout pack. A siege weapon, the trebuchet was used to hurl projectiles during medieval battle.

Visit medieval England this weekend and enjoy the many activities it has to offer. Thankfully, when the day is over, we can all return to the 21st century and air conditioning.

If you have an event or story idea that fits into the Sioux Falls dining or entertainment theme, Alexa Giebink can be reached at agiebink@argusleader.com. Follow her on twitter @ArgusAGiebink